The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

Moreover, given the decline of the Kujo family, if my actions are too extreme, it might make the shogun feel conflicted about how to deal with the Kujo family.

"Go."

Since Kujo Sara was so sensible, Kage naturally had no reason to keep her and let the troublesome fellow leave.

Just as she had guessed, her presence would indeed only hinder what followed.

"Ying, what's wrong?"

Kiana, who didn't understand the tacit understanding between the two, master and servant, slowly raised her head, feeling very confused.

"Nothing much, I just want to spend more time with you. No, more than just a little while... if possible..."

Ying's voice grew softer and softer until it was almost a whispered mutter.

Seeing her start to act coy, Kiana felt both amused and speechless.

Ultimately, maybe she's just not very good at expressing herself?

After briefly recalling Ying's experiences, Kiana concluded that Ying might already consider her a close friend.

Or even further...

Unfortunately, she may never be able to fulfill her request.

"I still have a journey to continue... Shadow, give up."

Kiana also loves this place, loves everything about this world, and loves her too... but staying here for too long will inevitably lead to disaster.

After all, the laws of nature will never allow an unstable factor to run rampant.

If conflict breaks out and the world is destroyed, then she...

After experiencing various things, Kiana gradually realized that sometimes watching over someone from afar is also a way of showing love.

For example, Venti has long chosen to travel the world, respecting the Mondstadt people's yearning for freedom; and Zhongli has relinquished his position as Geo Archon, preparing to witness and remember the history of the Liyue people.

This is how they, as God, love people.

Shadow, you should be able to understand me, right...?

Realizing she could no longer continue down this path, Kiana silently raised her head, her azure eyes revealing unwavering resolve.

Looking into those eyes, which were as bright as gemstones and as resilient as diamonds, Ying remained speechless for a long time.

How she wished she could hear a yes from the girl in front of her.

Despite having made countless prayers many years ago, she ultimately faced natural disasters and man-made calamities, and many changes that even the gods could not control.

She could only helplessly accept the passing of time, until finally even her most cherished self was lost...

Perhaps this wishful thinking is nothing more than greedy self-indulgence.

Perhaps a god like myself is not worthy to possess her alone...

"So, you're leaving too? You guys... you always leave me all behind..."

Only eternity is closest to the principles of Heaven.

However, this statement only applies to her...

An eternal God may indeed exist eternally, but what about those who accompany her?

Because the system supplements the data, Kiana knows very well how many partings she has witnessed and how much pain of loss she has endured so far.

She, forever lost, longed for a promise of eternity from him...

This doesn't seem excessive.

Thinking of this, Kiana slowly got up and jumped up gently.

Without revealing any fighting spirit, she simply flew slowly towards Ying, the red flames flowing behind her like the wings of an angel, dreamlike and enchanting.

As Kiana slowly approached, Shadow couldn't help but look up at her.

In an instant, the white-haired girl who had suddenly entered her life gently embraced her, stroking her back like a tender older sister.

"Don't worry, don't be afraid. I promise I will come back to see you."

After gently comforting her, Kiana prepared to leave, but before she could even pull away...

Ying then reached out and hugged her tightly...

"...Hmm."

Shadow's soft murmur sounded just like a little sister's gentle plea. When Kiana first heard it, she never expected that it was her making that sound.

But then I thought, perhaps without the layers of identity as a god and a general, she was just a young girl who was afraid of losing her beloved.

"Let her be..."

Thinking of this, Kiana gave up resisting and let Shadow bind her tightly.

"So warm...this feeling...it seems so familiar..."

"Are you thinking of someone? If this will make you feel a little more at ease, then hold me tighter."

"Hmm...you said it yourself."

"Hey, don't be so tight, phew... I can't breathe properly, sigh... I just can't do anything with you."

"Kiana, why are you always so warm? You feel like an inextinguishable fire..."

"Because there must be a fire to light the way forward."

Happy times are always too short.

While feeling comforted by Kiana's warmth, Shadow recalled that she still had a lot of messes to clean up.

For example, the issue of the resistance, the handling of the Kujo family, and... some reflections on eternity.

Whenever Ying thinks about these things, she feels her mind is in turmoil.

"Hey..."

Sensing that the beautiful woman in her arms seemed troubled, Kiana immediately offered words of comfort:

"Hmm? Why are you sighing? You can tell me what's bothering you. With me here, you don't have to keep it bottled up inside anymore."

"Huh? Well, actually..."

Now that Kiana has asked, it's no longer appropriate for Kage to keep it a secret.

She then brought her red lips close to the white-haired girl's ear and whispered her troubles.

Of course, she did not express her contemplation on eternity, but planned to do so during her final attempt to persuade him to stay.

As Shadow complained, Kiana suddenly heard a system task notification in her ear.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have obtained an optional side quest: A duel full of glory and bloodshed.]

[Mission Introduction: Your challenge to the imperial duel system has shaken the rigid hierarchy of this nation. Normally, anyone who dares to do this would be instantly killed by Wuxiang's blade. However, due to your outstanding strength, Ying, realizing that some things must change, has decided to challenge you to a duel...]

[Optional way to complete the mission: Unravel the mystery in Ying's heart.]

[Completing optional missions can earn a maximum reward of 4000 Herrscher Points.]

"Do you have doubts? You're right. After everything that's happened recently, her current situation..."

With the system's prompts, Kiana roughly understood Shadow's situation.

And now, after helping her overcome her inner struggles, it's time to embark on a new journey...

The Song of Flames and Lightning (Genshin Impact Inazuma Main Story): Chapter 105 On How to Make Shadows Become What You Like

In the main hall, the two people who had been embracing each other for a long time slowly separated.

Ying's pretty face was slightly flushed, perhaps from the heat, or perhaps from embarrassment.

Seeing this, Kiana smiled, then slowly rose and sat on the steps not far from the shadow, facing the tightly closed door, and asked softly:

"Shadow, what are your thoughts on the resistance?"

"Rebels? Oh, you mean those rebels?" Shadow said calmly while kneeling, seemingly not taking the rebels seriously.

However, seeing that Kiana was so far away, she suddenly pouted as if she was sulking, and then slowly stood up and sat down next to Kiana.

Kiana was quite surprised by her arrival.

Before she could even turn her head to see clearly, Ying sat down right next to her and gently rested her head on Kiana's shoulder.

"Huh?"

Kiana was somewhat surprised by Shadow's actions.

"Don't talk, I want to lean against you for a while."

Seemingly because she had let go of her resentment towards her, Ying seemed quite easygoing and not as reserved as before.

Seeing how dependent she was on her, Kiana felt both gratified and somewhat helpless.

"Ok."

"Um... I don't like those people."

Perhaps because she had truly relaxed, Ying expressed her opinion directly and frankly.

In her eyes, the resistance was utterly insignificant. The reason those people were still able to survive on Haiqi Island was entirely because she had no intention of intervening.

Otherwise, the last vestige of faith in that giant serpent will vanish completely from this world.

Back when Orobas was still alive, she could kill it with a single strike after it was enhanced. Now that Orobas has fallen, what kind of trouble can its remaining power cause?

Ying believed that her approach was already the most tolerant she could show to these rebellious people.

However, they still didn't appreciate it and actually used the Eye Hunting Order as a pretext to launch an attack on Inazuma Castle.

"Perhaps I should make them understand who the god who rules over Inazuma is."

Shadow leaned on Kiana's shoulder, expressing her inner thoughts in a calm tone.

Although her voice was gentle and calm, Kiana sensed a chilling killing intent emanating from it.

It seems that after today's heart-to-heart talk, she will set off for Haiqi Island to demonstrate the power of the gods...

"Shadow, have you ever thought about why those people would risk being killed by you with a single stroke to rebel?"